Teasing and Harassment are NO joke! Autrey Mill Middle School wants to put an end to harassment!

Teasing or Harrassment Teasing or harassment is any mean or harmful behavior that is done on purpose. Teasing or harassment is behavior that continues EVEN after the instigator has been asked to stop.

What are the types of teasing and harassment ? Verbal Abuse: teasing, name- calling,mocking,taunting and put downs. Ex.: “You're stupid.”

People Involved Bully Victim Bystander

What is a Bystander? A bystander is a person who sees teasing and harassment and has the power to get involved, but doesn't. They are often afraid to get involved because they don't want to be the next victim or they don't know how to help.

The Bystander should… Help the person being bullied privately or openly Help the person being bullied by reporting the bullying behavior Help the person by distracting the bully Help the person by going to get an adult

Emotional harassment Isolation, rejection, ignoring, spreading rumors, and manipulating others. Ex.“Did you hear what happened at the party Saturday night?”

Physical harassment Hitting, tripping, kicking, pushing, slapping, spitting, choking, taking or defacing another’s property, slamming lockers, stealing food, “play fighting”, and physical acts that demean and humiliate.

Other types of teasing/harassment: Harassment: Making threats, or coercing, someone to do something against their will. Ethnic, Racial, or Religious taunting: any act of bigotry (directed toward another person’s race, ethnic heritage, national origin, age, sex, appearance, or disability. This includes verbal harassment, such as racial sexual, or ethnic slurs, derogatory comments (“put downs”) insults, and jokes. No one has the right or the privilege of teasing or taunting another person about things that can’t be changed and about the things that make a person the unique individual he/she is. We MUST STereOtyPes ! Electronic harassment: Behaviors that occur via the Internet or on cell phones.

Sexual harassment: This is a specific form of harassment directed toward someone’s gender or behavior. This type of harassment can be verbal, emotional, or physical. Ex: “That's so gay.” “He fights like a girl.”

What if you are being harassed?? Ignore it. Be funny. Walk away. Stand up for yourself. Get help from friends. Get help from an adult. DO NOT tease or make remarks back.

What if you see someone being harassed? Don't encourage the behavior. Help the person stand up for himself. Make sure the instigator knows what he/she is doing is NOT funny and NOT o.k. Talk to the victim about reporting the harassment. Report the problem yourself. Reporting can be done by filling out a Self- Referral Form in the Counseling Department. (See 7th Grade red folder.)

Reasons NOT to Tease/harass It is NEVER okay. How would you feel if you were the target? You don't have the right to hurt others. You will stay out of trouble.  People will like you because you are nice! Teasing/harassment is against the law in the state of Georgia.

How AMMS handles teasing and harassment 1st offense = discussion and possible consequences with teacher. 2nd offense = Counseling referral. 3rd offense and any problems thereafter = office referral with consequences that go on your permanent record.

Classroom Discipline Cycle Detentions Classroom Discipline Cycle Students are expected to FOLLOW DIRECTIONS and BE RESPECTFUL in all classes. ***CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS WILL RESULT IN A STRIKE*** 3 strikes = Time Out 3 Time Outs = Conference w/your teachers & administrator 4 Time Outs = Team Consequence and Parent Notification (See Appendix 11) 5 Time Outs = Public Detention 6 or more Time Outs = Office Referral 1st Office Referral 1 Day of Public Detention 2nd Office Referral = 1 Day In-School Suspension 3rd Office Referral = 2 Days In-School Suspension 4th Office Referral = 1 Day Out-of-School Suspension 5th Office Referral = 2 Days Out-of-School Suspension  ________ should plan to stay after school from 4:10 – 5:10 p.m. on one of the following days: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday

Do you have any questions? IF you have any questions after this presentation, please see Mrs. Kincaid, Mrs. Gamel, or one of your teachers. YOU are now responsible for remembering this material and following the school related rules. Reminders can be found in your student agenda and in the Fulton County discipline handbook.

Teasing and Harassment ARE serious concerns at Autrey Mill Middle School! Presentation to 7th grade students By: Tammie Kincaid, Counselor